About Slow Readers Blog

Meet Cristal

It’s a lifestyle, people!

I decided two years ago to start blogging and a lot has changed since then. When I began, it was because I love reading, because books brought me immense joy throughout my life, and I hoped to use this blog to reach out to other fanatics such as myself, and as a method of conversion. I wanted to convert nonreaders into book maniacs! I wanted to just gab about books.

Why? Because I am a reader. I am a woman who struggles with the stresses of work and relationships, so I sometimes read to get away from it all. I am a veteran who read to block out the noise and sense of urgency. I am a lonely teenager who didn’t quite fit, so I’d lock myself away in my room and get lost between the pages. In between those pages, I’d become a nurse trapped in time, a badass FBI agent who fought crime, a skittish college graduate seduced by a sexy billionaire. I am the same as you. I am a book addict. Reading has brought me solace, provided incredible joy, and filled me with hope. I can’t even begin to explain how much I love to just drown in the written word. And if you’re here, then I don’t think I have to, because you’re probably just like me.

Two years ago my enthusiasm was never ending, but over the past few months, I’ve felt it waning. I’ve just been overwhelmed by the book world and my reading habits changed, unknowingly, because of the tornado of activity and distractions that encompasses the book world at the moment. So I’ve decided to change my philosophy — not very much from what it was before, but I plan on being more conscious of the reading experience, as pretentious as that may sound. I am going to read and take it all in. I’m going to savor all the words and take my time with the experience. Guys, I’m going hippie on y’all! And I’m not doing it alone. I’ve got two other Slow Readers who’ll be along for the ride, helping me spread the word on fantastic reads. So, welcome to my blog, to my nest, my refuge! I hope you feel at home here. Welcome to Slow Reader’s Blog.

Meet Tara

I am a mom and a wife. My young daughter keeps my husband and I on our toes, laughing constantly, and extremely busy. I also have a full-time job. When I’m not spending time with my daughter and husband, or at work, you can find me over here in the corner behind the stacks of rainbow books. Reading is just for me. With the exception of my daughter’s nightly bedtime story, when it’s for her too, but mostly it’s for me.

I can be foul-mouthed and brutally honest. In fact, I pride myself on honesty and appreciate it above all else. I strive to bring that to every review, every interaction, and every aspect of my life.

On the other hand, I have a huge heart. I wear my heart on my sleeve and feel things pretty deeply; I swear I’m just a walking soft spot. Because of that, I tend to avoid the painful reads. I appreciate a good ugly cry here and there, but I tend to gravitate towards funny people in real life and in my books. I tend to reach for those kinds of books over the heart wrenching ones, but my favorite is a good ole contemporary romance.

There are few things in life that provide me the kind of comfort and joy that books do, and I love sharing that love with other readers. I read everywhere I can, listen to audiobooks when I can’t, and eventually float back down to my own little slice of heaven. In addition to books, I love hockey (specifically the Dallas Stars), coffee, thunderstorms, Christmas, music, and movies.

Meet Melissa

I’m Melissa and I’m in a relationship with reading. Like any relationship, there are highs and lows, laughter and tears. Many times I don’t give reading as much as it gives me, such as confidence and comfort. But reading doesn’t mind. Reading is a provider, a confidant, the ever present constant in my life. When I want to explore, it lets me. When I want to love, or to hate, it lets me. When I want to learn, and teach, and share, it lets me. It’s dynamic and brilliant and powerful. Reading doesn’t judge, or side eye, and is always happy to open up for me and doesn’t hate when I want to be closed off. It has been the longest voluntary relationship of my life, one I never see coming to an end.

About a year ago I found myself needing an outlet for my response to the books I was reading. So I combined my love of reading and my need for expression and started reviewing. And what I’ve come to find is that there is something about leaving my truth on the page that validates and cultivates my relationship with reading, something that has become a necessary part of it all. I have strong opinions and express them honestly. All of my reviews aim to provide thoughtful and emotional readers like me an authentic and unbiased response.

My relationship with reading aside, I’m also a wife, a mom of three and a former math educator. I am the maker of meals, kisser of boo boos and champion of wishes and dreams. When I’m not reading or managing my hectic household, I love listening to loud music and making pretty things out of paper. I enjoy good food, fancy beer and using the word fuck.